Mon, 03 Mar 2025

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 TikTok investigated over use of children's data

It will look into how the social media platform uses the data of 13 to 17-year-olds to recommend content.

* The UK data watchdog (ICO) has launched an investigation into TikTok's use of children's personal information, focusing on whether its recommender systems could lead to harms such as data leakage or excessive screen time.
* The investigation will also check age verification processes at Reddit and Imgur, an image-sharing platform, to ensure they comply with UK data protection laws and the Children's Code.
* The ICO is reviewing how these platforms collect and process children's data, including their use of technologies like AI-powered recommender systems.
* TikTok claims its recommender systems operate under "strict and comprehensive measures" to protect teenagers' privacy and safety.
* Reddit says 95% of its users are adults, but plans to roll out changes to address UK regulations around age assurance.
* The ICO's investigation does not necessarily mean any of the three platforms have broken the law, but can result in enforcement notices and fines if they do.
* The ICO has already fined TikTok £12.7m for misusing children's data in 2023, which is being appealed by the platform.
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